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Hallucinogens

Brief Description

Hallucinogenic compounds found in some plants and mushrooms (or their extracts) have been used—mostly during religious rituals—for centuries. Almost all hallucinogens contain nitrogen and are classified as alkaloids. Many hallucinogens have chemical structures similar to those of natural neurotransmitters (e.g., acetylcholine-, serotonin-, or catecholamine-like). While the exact mechanisms by which hallucinogens exert their effects remain unclear, research suggests that these drugs work, at least partially, by temporarily interfering with neurotransmitter action or by binding to their receptor sites. Learn more

Related Publications

Published March 2001. Revised January 2014.
Offers the latest research findings on hallucinogens and dissociative drugs, describing what they are, how they are abused, and basic facts about different drugs within this classification of drugs.
En Español

Revised December 2014.
Provides basic facts about hallucinogens (LSD, peyote, psilocybin, and PCP) including how they are abused, how they affect the brain, other health effects, and treatment options.
En Español

Revised April 2013.
Offers an overview of salvia, an herb common to southern Mexico, Central, and South America. Discusses potential health and behavioral effects resulting from its abuse and the extent of use among youth.
En Español